What started as a passion for restoring discarded holiday decorations has grown into a powerful act of community giving.
East Northport resident, Andrew Reid, recently presented a check for over $14,000 to Ronald McDonald House, raised through donations from visitors to his beloved Misfit Island Holiday Lights Display during the holiday season. This marks Andrew’s second year supporting Ronald McDonald House through his holiday light display.
A Labor of Love and Lights
Each year, Andrew transforms his family’s home into a dazzling winter wonderland, featuring more than 500 restored holiday decorations and hundreds of thousands of lights illuminating the house, lawn, and driveway.
“I’m blown away, I’m still blown away,” Andrew shared. This year, he exceeded his ambitious goal by installing more than 300,000 lights. More than 33,000 visitors came to experience the festive attractions.
What makes Misfit Island especially meaningful is how it comes together. The entire display is created from discarded and broken holiday decorations that Andrew and his siblings collect from around their neighborhood. Andrew spends the entire year carefully storing, repairing, and restoring each piece before beginning installation in August, all in preparation for the December unveiling.
Supporting the Future Ronald McDonald House at Stony Brook
Funds raised through Andrew’s efforts will support the construction and operation of the first Ronald McDonald House in Suffolk County. Designed to support families during some of their most challenging times, the House will feature 30 private bedrooms, a communal dining room, movie theater, fitness center, and more common spaces. It will also join two existing Ronald McDonald Family Rooms at Stony Brook, one in the children’s hospital, opened in 2013, and another in the NICU, opened in 2022.
“Andrew’s generosity and creativity embody the very heart of our mission,” CEO, Matt Campo said. “Because of supporters like Andrew, now in his second year of giving back, and everyone who visited Misfit Island, we are able to provide comfort, care, and a home away from home for families when they need it most.”
We are incredibly grateful for Andrew’s ongoing commitment and for the community members who continue to show up year after year. Through creativity, dedication, and heartfelt commitment to giving back, Andrew’s Misfit Island Holiday Lights continue to prove that even the most overlooked decorations and the smallest ideas can make a lasting impact.